Delaware Debates

Center for Political Communication

190A Graham Hall, 111 Academy Street

302-831-7771

cpc-info@udel.edu

The University of Delaware Center for Political Communication (CPC) and Delaware Public Media hosted the 2024 Delaware Debates on October 16 and 17.

Delaware Debates

A public forum for statewide candidates

To support its mission to inform Delaware voters, the Center for Political Communication at the University of Delaware hosts the biennial Delaware Debates in partnership with Delaware Public Media. On election years, the University of Delaware invites qualified statewide candidates for Delaware governor and U.S. Congress to engage in formal public debates. Candidates adhere to established ground rules while discussing their positions on issues that matter the most to the state's voters. The format includes question-and-answer segments addressed by moderators, with additional questions from UD students. In partnership with Delaware Public Media, the Delaware Debates are livestreamed from a studio or a public theater on UD's campus, and a link to the event recording is made available on the website.

Delaware Debates 2024

Featuring congressional and gubernatorial candidates

The U.S. Senate and U.S. House debates were held on October 16, 2024, in Mitchell Hall, a 635-seat theater on the University of Delaware’s main campus, before a live audience. The Delaware Governor’s debate took place on October 17, 2024, in Mitchell Hall. It was live-streamed and made available for delayed streaming, but no live audience was present.

Ralph Begleiter, the founding director of the Center for Political Communication and a former CNN journalist, returned to the University of Delaware to moderate with Tom Byrne, Delaware Public Media News Director; Casey Nyman, a UD senior majoring in Media Communication and minoring in Journalism; and Sarah Petrowich, the State Politics Reporter for Delaware Public Media.

Delaware Debates: Through a Student Lens

Candidate Conversations

Delaware Public Media, with assistance from the Center for Political Communication, produced a series of “Candidate Conversations” for broadcast and online access. These interviews included additional races of interest beyond the three featured in Delaware Debates. All interviews were made available on the DPM main Election 2024 page.

Watch Delaware Debates 2024 Recordings

October 17, 2024: Governor's debate

Delaware Debates 2024 — Delaware Governor: youtube.com/watch?v=0CwYJsObv6g

October 16, 2024: U.S. House of Representatives debate

Delaware Debates 2024 — U.S. House of Representatives : youtube.com/watch?v=4nZ6HMigbWQ

October 16, 2024: U.S. Senate debate

Delaware Debates 2024 — U.S. Senate: youtube.com/watch?v=04aogZw-xfk

See videos and news stories of past Delaware Debates since 2010

2022 — U.S. House of Representatives

Delaware’s candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives met at the University of Delaware for Delaware Debates 2022 on Thursday, October 20. The virtual event was live streamed without an audience from a studio on UD’s campus. Incumbent candidate Lisa Blunt Rochester, a Democrat, and Republican Lee Murphy discussed state and national issues with moderator Ralph Begleiter.

Read the UDAILY STORY

The 2022 candidates for Delaware’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives — Democratic incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester and Republican candidate Lee Murphy — participated in “Delaware Debates 2022,” which was moderated by Ralph Begleiter (middle).

Delaware's candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives met at the University of Delaware for Delaware Debates 2022 on Thursday, October 20. The virtual event was live streamed without an audience from a studio on UD's campus.

Link to YouTube video: Delaware Debates 2022: youtube.com/watch?v=l1WTXxWVJ54

2020 — Governor and U.S. House of Representatives

Candidates for governor of Delaware and for the state’s single seat in the U.S. House of Representatives answered questions and discussed issues in Delaware Debates 2020, a virtual event hosted by the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication (CPC) and Delaware Public Media. The hour-long debates were held on the evenings of Oct. 13 and 14.

Read the UDaily Story

A debate moderator sits at a desk inside a broadcast studio and addesses candidates via television monitors.

The first night of the 2020 Delaware Debates on Tuesday, Oct. 13, included the major-party candidates for governor, with incumbent Democrat John C. Carney Jr. and Republican challenger Julianne E. Murray, meeting virtually. Ralph Begleiter moderated the debate from University Media Services campus studio.

A debate moderator sits at a desk inside a broadcast studio and addesses candidates via television monitors, with bright lights shining above him.

On Wednesday, Oct. 14, the major-party candidates for Delaware’s only seat in the U.S. House of Representatives faced off, with incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester, a Democrat, debating Republican Lee Murphy.

The governor's debate on Oct. 13 featured the incumbent Democrat John C. Carney Jr. and Republican challenger Julianne E. Murray.

Link to YouTube video by University of Delaware: 2020 Delaware Debates, Governor: youtube.com/watch?v=eoRKTkbO-K0

The U.S. House debate on Oct. 14 featured congressional candidates Lisa Blunt Rochester, a Democrat, and Republican Lee Murphy.

Link to YouTube video by University of Delaware: 2020 Delaware Debate, U.S. House of Representatives: youtube.com/watch?v=2IbfFemaYr0

2018 — U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives

Just 20 days before the 2018 elections, which some political observers see as potentially the most significant midterms in decades, candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives met to debate at the University of Delaware. The pair of debates on Wednesday evening, Oct. 17, in UD’s Mitchell Hall featured the major-party candidates for one of Delaware’s Senate seats and for its only seat in the House. In each race, an incumbent Democrat is seeking re-election against a Republican challenger.

Read the UDaily Story

Participants in the Delaware Debate for the U.S. House of Representatives are (from left) incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester, moderator Ralph Begleiter and challenger Scott Walker.

Two political candidates and a debate moderator sit at a desk on stage inside Mitchell Hall Theatre at the University of Delaware.

In the Delaware Debate for U.S. Senate, incumbent Tom Carper (left) and challenger Rob Arlett (right) flank moderator Ralph Begleiter.

U.S. House of Representatives Debate with Lisa Blunt Rochester (D) and Scott Walker (R) held live on October 17, 2018, produced by UD's Center for Political Communication and Delaware Public Media.

Link to YouTube video by the University of Delaware: 2018 Delaware Debate, U.S. House of Representatives: youtube.com/watch?v=pA9j94wUqvo

The U.S. Senate debate on Oct. 17 featured the candidates for the U.S. Senate Tom Carper (D) and Rob Arlett (R), produced by UD's Center for Political Communication and Delaware Public Media.

Link to YouTube video by University of Delaware: 2018 Delaware Debates, U.S. Senate: youtube.com/watch?v=2YXwDeBukys

2016 — Governor and U.S. House of Representatives

Congressional, gubernatorial candidates face off at UD

Candidates met at the University of Delaware’s Mitchell Hall on Wednesday evening, Oct. 19, for Delaware Debates 2016, a joint initiative of UD’s Center for Political Communication and Delaware Public Media. The back-to-back debates featured the major-party candidates for governor and for Delaware’s only seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. During both debates, candidates characterized this year’s campaign season in Delaware as issues-oriented and civil, often in stark contrast to the tone of the 2016 presidential race.

Read the UDaily Story

Two candidates stand behind podiums on stage at Mitchell Hall Theatre, addressing questions from three debate moderators seated at a table on the same stage.

Gubernatorial candidates John Carney (left) and Colin Bonini answer questions from the panel during the 2016 Delaware Debates.

Two candidates stand behind podiums on stage in Mitchell Hall Theatre at the University of Delaware.

Congressional candidates Lisa Blunt Rochester (left) and Hans Reigle answer panelists’ questions.

The U.S. House debate on Oct. 19 featured congressional candidates Lisa Blunt Rochester, a Democrat, and Republican Hans Reigle.

Link to YouTube video by Delaware Public Media: 2016 Delaware Debate, U.S. House of Representatives: youtube.com/watch?v=RfBSESvwL80

The governor's debate on Oct. 19 featured the Democratic nominee, Congressman John Carney, and his Republican opponent, State Senator Colin Bonini.

Link to YouTube video by Delaware Public Media: 2016 Delaware Debates, Governor: youtube.com/watch?v=YJJ0yRQuUaE

2014 — U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives

Candidates for the state’s congressional delegation squared off in the Delaware Debates 2014, a joint initiative of the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication and Delaware Public Media, on Wednesday evening, Oct. 15, in Mitchell Hall on the UD campus in Newark. The debates featuring candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives were held back-to-back.

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The opening debate featured the race for the House of Representatives and as Republican Rose Izzo had chosen to participate in a campaign event elsewhere, Democratic incumbent John Carney sat alone to answer questions posed live by Delaware Public Media’s Nancy Karibjanian, adjunct faculty member in UD’s Department of Communication, and UD’s Jason Mycoff, associate professor of political science and international relations, as well as questions on videotape by students from Delaware State University and UD.

Carney, who holds a master of public administration degree from UD, answered questions on topics including the economy and manufacturing, income inequality, national security threats, ebola, education and gridlock in Congress.

The Senate debate followed and featured Democratic incumbent Chris Coons, who is running for his first full term, and Republican Kevin Wade, a UD electrical engineering alumnus.

The candidates answered questions posed by Karibjanian and UD’s Lindsay Hoffman, associate professor of communication and political science and international relations and coordinator of research in politics and technology in the Center for Political Communication. Again, Delaware State and UD student questions were included.

The candidates answered questions about the economy, national security, ebola, education and the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.

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U.S. Rep. John Carney sits at a desk on stage in Mitchell Hall Theatre at the University of Delaware and answers question from two debate moderators.

U.S. Rep. John Carney answers Delaware Debates questions posed by Jason Mycoff and Nancy Karibjanian.

Two Delaware candidates for U.S. Senate sit at a desk with two debate moderators on stage in Mitchell Hall Theatre at the University of Delaware.

Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (left) and Republican Kevin Wade answer Delaware Debates questions posed by Lindsay Hoffman and Nancy Karibjanian.

Delaware Congressman John Carney, incumbent Democrat, answers questions from the moderators and from students at Delaware Debates 2014, in the race for U.S. House of Representatives, on October 15, 2014.

Link to YouTube video: 2014 Delaware Debates, U.S. House: youtube.com/watch?v=CSI70l4jwZw

Candidates for U.S. Senate from Delaware, incumbent Democrat Chris Coons and Republican challenger Kevin Wade, answer questions from the moderators and from students at Delaware Debates 2014, on October 15, 2014.

Link to YouTube video: 2014 Delaware Debates, U.S. Senate: youtube.com/watch?v=gyEXMdQ6dH4

2012 — Governor, Lt. Governor, U.S. Senate and US. House of Representatives

The University of Delaware hosted the 2012 Delaware Debates, featuring candidates for U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, Oct. 16, and for governor and lieutenant governor on Wednesday, Oct. 17 — in Mitchell Hall, which was packed with interested students, faculty and Delaware residents.

Read the UDaily Story

2012 candidates for Delaware governor sit at a desk with two debate moderators, on stage at Mitchell Hall Theatre, University of Delaware.

UD's David Wilson (left) and Delaware First Media's Nancy Karibjanian moderate a debate featuring gubernatorial candidates Jack Markell (left, facing camera), the Democratic incumbent, and Jeff Cragg, the Republican challenger.

2012 candidates for Delaware lieutenant governor sit at a desk with two debate moderators, on stage at Mitchell Hall Theatre, University of Delaware

UD's David Wilson (left) and Delaware First Media's Nancy Karibjanian moderate a debate featuring candidates for lieutenant governor Matt Denn, the Democratic incumbent, and Sher Valenzuela, the Republican challenger.

2012 U.S. House candidates for Delaware sit at a desk with two debates moderators on stage in Mitchell Hall Theatre, University of Delaware

UD's Jason Mycoff (left) and Delaware First Media's Nancy Karibjanian moderate a debate featuring U.S. House of Representatives candidates John Carney (left, facing camera), the Democratic incumbent, and Tom Kovach, the Republican challenger.

2012 U.S. Senate candidates for Delaware sit at a desk with two debates moderators on stage in Mitchell Hall Theatre, University of Delaware

UD's Jason Mycoff (left) and Delaware First Media's Nancy Karibjanian moderate a debate featuring U.S. Senate candidates (from left) Republican Kevin Wade, independent Alex Pires and Democratic incumbent Tom Carper.

Delaware Debates 2012: Candidates for Governor

Link to YouTube Video: Delaware Debates 2012, Governor: youtube.com/watch?v=BX60p_0kDGo

Delaware Debates 2012: Candidates for Lt. Governor

Link to YouTube Video: Delaware Debates 2012, Lt. Governor: youtube.com/watch?v=OWi7eCDvAfA

Delaware Debates 2012: Candidates for U.S. House of Representatives

Link to YouTube Video: Delaware Debates 2012, U.S. House: youtube.com/watch?v=6BBzDeYQV8g

Delaware Debates 2012: Candidates for U.S. Senate

Link to YouTube Video: Delaware Debates 2012, U.S. Senate: youtube.com/watch?v=xy53LygwGSw

2010 — U.S. House of Representatives

The inaugural Delaware Debates opened on October 6, 2010, in Mitchell Hall on the University of Delaware campus in Newark, providing a face-to-face meeting between the state’s major party candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives — Republican Glen Urquhart and Democrat John Carney.

Read the UDaily Story

Candidates John Carney and Glen Urquhart sit at a desk with Nancy Karibjanian on stage at Mitchell Hall Theatre, University of Delaware.

Candidates John C. Carney Jr (D), left, and Glen Urquhart (R)

Delaware Debates 2010: Candidates for U.S. House of Representatives

Link to YouTube Video: Delaware Debates 2010, U.S. House of Representatives : youtube.com/watch?v=bwU5LnHv_0A

2010 — U.S. Senate

The University of Delaware once again lived up to its billing as the “epicenter” of politics as members of the national and international news media descended on the main campus in Newark for a much-anticipated U.S. Senate debate between Republican Christine O’Donnell and Democrat Chris Coons.

Read the UDAily Story